iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 16h

This Black History Month, four stories from our own county: a hero of Kirby Hall who made his home in Gretton, a footballer who signed for Northampton, the first Black woman to run for GB at the Olympics, and Wellingborough's first Black mayor. One a week from 12 October. #Kettering

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

October is ADHD Awareness Month. Around 2.5 million people in England are estimated to have ADHD — classmates, colleagues and neighbours here in Kettering. Every Saturday this month: what Lib Dems would do to make support match reality.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Kettering had a month of police action on illegal e-scooters and e-bikes in August. Welcome — but high-power bikes and conversion kits are still easy to buy online. We’d restrict their sale, and make delivery apps check riders’ bikes are legal and insured.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Thirty years ago two million people paid the 40p rate. Today nine million do. Lib Dems would raise the threshold to £56,000, taking 760,000 people back out of the higher rate. 'A Kind Of Hope' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Kettering is on the Midland Main Line, and for a lot of people here the train is the commute. Lib Dems want rail fares cut by 10%, £1 bus fares, and fuel duty cut by 10p — 12p a litre off at the pump. However you travel, getting around is the cost of living.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

12,200 farm applications, one afternoon. The farmland around Kettering grows our food. The next scheme is planned for 2027, with no date. Ministers should publish the timetable now. 'This Too Shall Pass' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

“We care. We fight.” Reform have £72 million from two crypto billionaires. We have people in #Kettering who care about where they live. Sound like you? Join us – link below. 'Rise Above' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🌿 Chag Sukkot Sameach to the Jewish community in #Kettering! As the festival begins at sunset tonight, wishing you a joyful week of gratitude, harvest and togetherness. 🍋 #Sukkot

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Another layer of politicians is not the same thing as accountability. Reported plans would put water firms under nine regional bodies led by mayors. North Northamptonshire hasn’t got a mayor. Water should be owned by the people who pay for it.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Who should pay to police online crime? The companies whose platforms carry it — not Kettering taxpayers. A Lib Dem levy on Big Tech would fund hundreds of specialist officers. 'Cirrus' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

💗💜💙 Happy Bi Visibility Day to bisexual people in #Kettering! Today we celebrate you, your identities and your place at the heart of our community — seen, valued and welcome. #BiVisibilityDay

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The CQC rates this trust GOOD for caring. The staff are the part that works. What's missing is senior midwives and consultants — and that is a decision Ministers make. 'This Too Shall Pass' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The CQC rates Kettering General good for caring. So when 236 people wait over 12 hours in a hospital chair in Northamptonshire in a year, and one waits 32, the problem is beds, not people. 'With These Hands' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Managing a waiting list better does not create a single extra home. Building does. The Lib Dem Bill: 150,000 social homes a year, and a rent-to-equity route so tenants build a stake through their rent. 'Resolutions' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Burglaries around Kettering end in a charge more often than anywhere else in the county: 1 in 6, against 1 in 16 nationally. That is the good news. Five in six still end with nobody charged. 'This Too Shall Pass' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Three years, two opposite problems: the wettest winter on record for England and Wales, then two dry summers. Farms could store winter water for summer. £15m nationally, against £550m of losses, is not it. 'Petrichor' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

🍎🍯 Shana Tova to the Jewish community in #Kettering! As the new year 5787 begins at sunset tonight, wishing you and your families a sweet, peaceful and healthy year ahead. #RoshHashanah #ShanaTova

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are all inside the European returns system. None is an EU member. Each negotiated its way in. "We've left, so we can't" isn't true. Britain had that access until 2020 and gave it up. We should negotiate our way back in.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Kettering General's maternity service was rated good in 2019. At the last inspection: requires improvement, on safety and on leadership. Ministers have just voted down one-to-one midwifery and 24/7 consultant cover on every labour ward.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

🙏 Happy Paryushan to the Jain community in #Kettering. Eight days of reflection, forgiveness and self-discipline begin today — wishing you peace and renewal. ✨ #Paryushan #Jain

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Where we stand: join the single market via the EEA, negotiate a customs union — steps on the road to EU membership. 55% now back rejoining (YouGov). 'Chasing Daylight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Brexit trade barriers added £250 to the average household food bill between Dec 2019 and Mar 2023 — about a third of food price inflation then (LSE). 'Phase Shift' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

UK goods exports to the EU are still 14% below 2019. That border runs through this area’s biggest employers — 22,000 in manufacturing, 17,000 in transport and storage. 'Resolutions' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Applied for free school meals before 1 July 2026? Apply again — earlier applications may not have been assessed under the new rules. Every child in a Universal Credit household now qualifies. 'A Kind Of Hope' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Nearly £2,000 worse off per person in one year, and close to two million fewer jobs across the UK — Cambridge Econometrics, for City Hall. That is what being outside the EU costs. 'This Too Shall Pass' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

17 June — Ed Davey tells Andy Burnham and “whoever the next PM may be” to drop the red lines. 20 July — Burnham becomes PM. 24 Aug — Downing St rules them out again. He was asked. 'Undertow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The small print: bills rise £60 a year from 1 October. Electricity looks flat only because VAT came off, and that is set to end on 31 March. Every penny of the real increase is gas. #Kettering

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The Government wants councils to make fly-tippers clear up their own mess. Good. But it says mayors should lead — and Kettering hasn't got one. The organised gangs behind it are beyond any council. Empower the National Crime Agency.

Equality green graphic. Large white headline reads: Their waste plan runs through mayors. We haven't got one. Beneath: council officers issued 39 fly-tipping fines here in three months, under existing powers; the organised gangs are beyond any council; Ministers left the National Crime Agency out.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

£17.1m on independent special school places this year. The same 227 children locally: about £5m. Kettering lost 13 specialist places last year while EHC plans rose by 220. That's the capacity gap, and this is what it costs.

Graphic contrasting £17.1m paid this year for independent special school places with £5m, what the same 227 children would cost in local school places. £72,000 a place against £22,000.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Congrats on your GCSE Results today! No matter what, you've done yourself proud.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

7,165 disabled people in Kettering rely on PIP. Reform would scrap it as it exists today. Cash gone for most. Means-tested for the rest. Liberal Democrats will defend the most vulnerable.

Reform turquoise graphic. Large white text reads 7,165 disabled people here rely on PIP. Beneath: Reform would scrap it as it exists today, cash gone for most, means-tested for the rest. A cut-out photograph of Nigel Farage laughing fills the right of the frame.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

31.9°C — the average maximum NHS ward temperature in July. The limit is 28°C, and all but one of the 33 trusts that recorded went over. #Kettering General still heats on rented temporary boilers.

Community magenta graphic. Large white text reads 31.9°C, the average maximum ward temperature in July. Below: the NHS safety limit is 28°C, Kettering General still heats and supplies its hot water from rented temporary boilers, and its replacement is not due until autumn 2027.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

35% of everyone admitted through Kettering General’s A&E waited over 12 hours for a bed in June and July. Nationally, 12%. It isn’t the staff — we beat the England four-hour average every month. It’s the beds. 16 months. 10,221 people.

Orange graphic reading 35% waited over 12 hours for a bed at Kettering General. Above it, a photograph of an ambulance crew member’s hand on the handle of a stretcher trolley at the open back of an ambulance.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Kettering, in one year: EHC plans 1,069 to 1,289. Up 220. Specialist places 512 to 499. Down 13. And 1.74 children on SEN support per EHC plan, against 2.45 across England. NNC needs to say how specialist capacity will keep pace.

Graphic reading minus 13 specialist places in Kettering in one year, while EHC plans rose by 220. Above, a teacher stands at the front of a primary classroom.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Kettering General reported two never events last year. We only know because trusts must report them. The Health Bill would abolish every local Healthwatch in England and move patient feedback inside the NHS. Fewer independent eyes means fewer mistakes come to light.

Orange graphic. A nurse in green scrubs with a stethoscope looks off camera with a serious expression, hard-edged on the right. Headline 'Who speaks up for Kettering patients?' and text reading 'Kettering General reported two never events last year. We only know because trusts must report them, and the Health Bill puts that at risk.' White panel at the foot with the Kettering Liberal Democrats lockup.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

3,091 online crimes involving children were recorded across Northamptonshire in the two years to May 2026. A US court has ordered Meta to pay $567m over child safety failures. Families in Kettering deserve better. libdems.org.uk/ageratings

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

3,404 children in the Kettering constituency get free school meals — nearly 1 in 5 pupils. Free holiday clubs with a hot meal are running now, up to 16 sessions each. Book: eequ.org/hafnorthants From September more children get a school lunch. Holiday places won't follow.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Farms around Kettering face one of the worst UK harvests since detailed records began in 1984 — up to £390m off farm incomes. When the harvest fails, more grain is imported and shelf prices follow. Food is up 30.5% since 2022.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Kettering's parks are scorched for a reason: Northamptonshire had 1mm of rain or less across the whole of July, against a normal of about 52mm. England's driest July since records began in 1836. Our first hosepipe ban since 2012. The next one won't be a surprise.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

What are the Lib Dems actually doing in Kettering? High street, health services, planning, potholes — all the things everyone reports and nobody fixes. Become a free supporter and see it as it happens. One minute, no cost, no commitment. Link below 👇

Photo collage of Liberal Democrat campaigners across North Northamptonshire, with the strapline Become a supporter for free, today!

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

2,140 hours of sewage in the River Ise in 2025 — nearly three months. 262 separate spills, from Kettering's Valley Walk overflow to Desborough and Burton Latimer. Lib Dems would scrap Ofwat for a Clean Water Authority with unlimited fining powers.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

2,090 hours of raw sewage were dumped in Kettering in 2025 — even during the driest spring in over a century. 458 separate spills. The worst: Thorpe Malsor sewage works, 757 hours into Slade Brook. Lib Dems are demanding real powers to punish polluting water firms. #SewageScandal

Graphic on cracked dry earth reading: A year of drought, but the sewage scandal continues. 2,090 hours of raw sewage dumped in Kettering in 2025.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

22 failed attempts at social care reform since 1997. Talks have finally begun. When care fails it's the NHS that picks it up — people stuck in hospital with no support to go home to. Family carers must come first, and no one should lose their home to care costs.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Kettering: when a road is left long enough, things start growing out of it. Tell us the worst road on your street — comment, message, or email ketteringliberaldemocrats@gmail.com. We'll take it to the council and chase it.

A weed growing out of a broken patch in a road surface, with the words 'The worst road on your street — tell us about it, we'll take it to the council and chase it'.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

2026 is the first year on record to reach 35°C in May, June AND July. New homes around Kettering are still built to overheat. Lib Dems want cooling, insulation and solar as standard — and trees back in our streets.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

The Commonwealth Games are behind a paywall for the first time ever. The BBC has shown them free-to-air since 1954. Lib Dems say free-to-air should be a condition of any event taking public money - if we're paying for it, we should be able to watch it.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

We've published our annual newsletter! Be sure to read all about it.

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

On Non‑Binary Day we celebrate everyone in our community who lives beyond the binary 💛🤍💜🖤 Your visibility, courage and joy make #Kettering stronger and more inclusive. We stand with you today and every day. #NonBinaryDay

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Best of luck to the Three Lions who look to beat Norway in the World Cup quarter finals! 🦁🦁🦁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

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Kettering Liberal Democrats @ketteringlibdems.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Happy Birthday to our NHS! 🎉💙 To every worker keeping #Kettering healthy, safe and cared for — thank you. Your dedication is the heart of our community and we’re proud to celebrate you today. #NHSBirthday

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